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Cats: RIP Mr. Moose

With a heavy heart, I report that Mr. Moose is no longer with us. It’s with a heavier heart that I must report it was my decision. Mr. L and I both agreed he was looking quite ill, and I needed to trap him as soon as possible to get him to Dr. Valeri. I did that this morning. I’d like to think I’d earned his trust enough, but I think he was just too sick. I was able to walk by him on the porch this morning and set the trap up and bait it right in front of him. He walked around it with kitten chow, but when I put Fancy Feast in, he walked in and trapped himself. I took him to Dr. Valeri, and the plan became to sedate him, treat him, and neuter him right then. Of course, while he was sedated, they tested him for FIV, and he came back positive.

He was always going to be a sick kitty, and I didn’t have a loving home for him to be sheltered in and sequestered from other cats — he would always be infectious to other cats. The only real option we had to offer dear Mr. Moose was euthanasia. I was afraid that was going to be the case. Who knows how many other cats in the neighborhood he’s infected during fights. He doesn’t appear to have gotten into any fights with Sneaky — I check her regularly for bites and scratches, and she seems to have been able to steer clear of altercations. I don’t think he went looking for fights, but fights clearly found him. I’ll miss seeing the dear fellow on the porch, but we couldn’t heal him, and he was a threat to other kitties’ health.

Game camera results so far indicate Daphne and Tarzan get on the counter after we do anything in the kitchen to investigate what they missed. Last night, Rossie came down the stairs and stopped to sniff the game camera on her way by. This morning, somebody was investigating the camera — I have it strapped to the back stairs bannister, and somebody was curious about it. I think (but cannot confirm, because the imagery is too blurry) this morning’s inquisitor was Tarzan. Why? Because shortly after the camera was obscured by cat, Tarzan popped upon the counter.

Twice in two days, someone has wrestled the water tower to a spilled state. One of those times, I had the tower cover on, and it didn’t matter. I’d have to move the camera to monitor that position, but I’m willing to bet it was Pretty Boy Floyd or Tarzan. Those are the only two cats large enough and strong enough (I think) to tip over a full one-gallon water tower or the water tower with the litter pan cover over it. Both have demonstrated a propensity to do so in the past. Lady is another possible culprit, but she was in the crate last night during the hours when it could have been tipped over, and I don’t think they’ve learned to open the door and re-close the door yet.

I know that is a hard decision. I am sorry. When my cat of 18 years had anal cancer I had to make such a decision. It is never easy, despite being the best decision for him, and all the other kitties you have taken on. It doesn’t lessen the hurt, and sometimes guilt. I know I still feel bad about my decision, even tho I know it was best.